Destinations
Fishing Reports
Guided Trips
Fishing Trips
Hunting Trips
Underground Blog
Add Your Listing
Log In
Sign Up
San Juan River (NM) July 2017
Date
Thursday, 27 Jul, 2017
Water Clarity
Moderately Clear
Angler Traffic
Medium
Fish Caught
13-19 fish
Report
Fly fishing on the San Juan River (NM) has been outstanding. Size #24 Midges, focused on red larvae, red zebra BH, and annelids in the morning.
More
Flies
Nymphs
Name
Size
red larvae, red zebra BH
22+
Fishing Water Report
San Juan River Fishing Report
(1)
About an hour’s drive from Durango, the San Juan River tailwater, a result of the Navajo Dam completed on Navajo land in 1962, is another happy accident for trout lovers. It originates
...
more
in Colorado’s San Juan Mountains on the western side of the Continental Divide, winds its way through northern New Mexico and Arizona, and ends in Utah where it empties into the Colorado River at Lake Powell. Although it crosses all 4 of the Four Corners, most agree the best place to fish is in New Mexico, below Navajo Dam at Navajo Lake.
While fishing is good for at least 10 miles below the dam, the most coveted area is a mere 3½-mile run. What this mileage lacks in length, it makes up for in fish. Known almost reverently as the “Quality Water,” many anglers consider this the holy grail of trout fishing. Releases from the dam keep the water temperature a near constant 42-45 degrees year round, and unlike the Delores, the San Juan can be experienced throughout every season.
Initially, New Mexico game officials stocked the river with brown, rainbow and cutthroat trout. Because the water is rich in nutrients and the conditions are so near perfect, the fish have flourished. Stocking rainbows has continued over the years although browns have reproduced on their own. This has resulted in one of the highest fish counts of any North American river, estimated at approximately 20,000 fish per mile in the Quality Water section.
Most of the year this section of river can be easily waded or fished from a drift boat, although it is strictly catch and release with a 2 fly limit on a single barbless hook.
Game Fish Opportunities:
Cutthroat Trout
Rainbow Trout
Brown Trout
Guide Reports:
San Juan River (NM) July 2017
Fishing Trips:
San Juan Lower River Float Trip with Animas Valley Anglers
San Juan River Wade Trip with Animas Valley Anglers
San Juan River Float Trip with Animas Valley Anglers
All 5 Fishing Trips
0
reviews
0
comments
Accuracy
Completeness
Post
Discover Your Own Fishing and Hunting Adventures
With top destinations, guided trips, outfitters and guides, and river reports, you have everything you need.
Identify top fly fishing towns
Destinations
Enjoy an authentic fishing experience
Guided Trips
Locate the best places to stay and fish
Lodging Packages
Match your needs
Outfitters
Find experts easily
Fishing Guides
Spot the best fishing waters
River and Lake Reports
See where the action is
Fishing Reports
Find the hottest spots on the river
Access Sites
Browse and learn
Underground
Fishing
Destinations
River and Lake Reports
Guided Trips
Outfitters & Guides
Fishing Reports
Fishing Access Sites
Fish Species
Company
Term of Use
Privacy Policy
Shop
News
Trust and Safety
Underground
Sitemap
Help
Contact Us
Top Pages
Madison River Fly Fishing Guides
Madison River Fishing
Montana Outfitters
Missouri River Fishing
Yellowstone River Fishing
Jefferson River Fishing
Bitterroot River Fishing
Gallatin River Fishing
Missoula Outfitters
Fishing Map